
•TO MY BOY" 

(page 5) 



SAGE BRUSH 
SOLILOQUIES 



-By- 
Lottie Gomes 

il 



NEVADA STATE JOURNAL 
RENO. NEVADA 



e 



<^ 






4 191! 



Copyright. 1919 
By Lottie Gomes 



©CI.A5.16420 



^ 



'M 



TO MY BOY 

Once I owned a Baby 

Like the one pictured above ; 

He snre was a baby to^ worship, 
To idolize, fondle, and love. 

He brought to our home each day 

Sonie new pleasure or joy, 
But time always so busy 

Changed the baby into a boy. 

Now he's a tall, maiily youth 

Preparing to graduate. 
I'm happy to be his mother, 

I ask nothing better of fate. 

— ^November 3, 1918. 

To-night he has marched away. 
Away from his home and me. 

To serve his country and justice 
To help the world go free. 

Pie is proud and glad to go. 

Eager to serve the right; 
I'm glad he will never know 

How hard for me, is this night. 



THE NORTHWEST 

The roisy light of an early dawn 

Is lighting the tip of Old Kulshan 

The trees stand guard 

Like soldiers brave — 

The ferns like plumes 

In the zephyr's wave. 

The moss lieis in pillows 

Under the trees 

While a soft voice whispers 

In the breeze, 

All things that are really best 

Belong by right to the "Great Northwest." 

The evening shadows are falling now 
Hiding "Old Kulshan 's" noble brow. 
The dew like the tears of one who yearns 
Falls on the trees and on the fetns. 
And the trails through the woo'ds 
As they're pressed by the feet 
Yield a spice-like odor 
Honey sweet. 

There is no land more fair 

And few so blest 

As this truly wonderful "Great Northwest." 

You want to see these things 

You say? 

Well ! Go to the countiy 

Near Bellingham, Bay 

With its dimpling' Lakes 

And miagical flowers 

Turning the W'oods into fairy bowers. 

Note — A few miles to the northeast of Bellingham 
is Mount Baker, which is still known hy the name the 
Indians gave it years ago — The Kulshan. — l. g. 



THE VISIT OF THE GHOSTS 

The Oild, Olid nioon Avas shining down 

Ou a. little old grey desert town 

The mountains desolate and wild 

Seemed to beckon and call to the soul exiled 

While the mournitul note of the coyotes' wail 

Seemed to pierce the dark mysterious veil 

That swings between 

The things unseen, 

And those that we feel are true and real. 

Deserted now, as it lias been for years 

Through a mist of tears. 

So I'll wander around and take a look 

And if I should meet a familiar spook 

I shall greet it I know 

With a warm hand shake 

And a. friendly smile, for old time's sake. 

Hush my heart; I see one now 

On, a porch, she's sitting bending low 

Over the work in her hands. — 

The shade of the woman who loved to sew. 

Ah ! Who comes here with a smile so clear 

With two little children hovering near"? 
And here's another, from o'er the way 
She always seemed happy, blithe and gay. 
Quite an addition was she to the town, 
We sometimes called her the woman in brown. 
Who's this modest sprite 
In the moon's weird light? 

She's almost afraid to look around, 

As she silently glides across the ground. 

The Ghosts of the past live on and on 
In memory's hall, and in the old town. 

Poor little eld town, 

Dear shades of the past. 

You once seemed real 
But you did not last. 

I'm really glad that I meti you all 

And laiow that you're not beyond recall. 

Although tO' strangers, you Ghosts; may be. 
You will always seem very real to me. 
I'll bid you good-night with falling tears, 
Farewell clear Ghosts of the vanished years. 



TO SOME MEN I KNOW 

On tlie desert wide 

"Where the sagebriTsh blooms 

And the coyote wails at night 

And the sonl grows sick 

In the long grey days 

At "Old Times" weary flight. 

No love for you 

In my heart does burn 

But pity as for some poor thing 

No loving thoughts to you would turn, 

No sweet song could we sing. 

Ovir very souls creep 

As we silently weep 

\¥hen we think of the years, 

And the sighs, and the tears 

Oit the women who yearn, 

But never can learn. 

No, never can. 

To love a land made only for man. 

Behold the barbarian man.. 

Loving the plains as a strong man can. 

No women's shops to distress his mind. 

All things to him are dear and kind, 

No pretty church, with its open door. 

Cushioned pews and velvet floor, 

But the doors of Saloons are open wide 

And over the sage for miles men ride 

To eat, to drink, to live for the day. 

Seems to make (so'me) men happy, 

Seems to be (some) mens' way. 

Music, and flowers, shops, and art, 

In their life takes no vital part 

But the days are grey 

And we miss the things so far away. 

And women can never tell 

How the desert makes' of our life a hell. 



AN OLD FASHIONED ALBUM 

I was looking through an Album 

Just the other day 

Looking through the ol4 book 

Just to pass the time away. 

And found the faces of "Old Friends" 

Of the long ago; 

The dear Faces of the "Old Friends" 

That used to meet and sew. 

This one in a charming gown 

Used to broaden all her "A's", 

She camie from Boston in her early da^'s, 

This one did not really claim a creed 

But she always proved ai friend 

To any one in need. 

This one had many talents, all worth while, 

But her friends loved her best 

For her truly lovely smile. 

This one here although years have iflown 

I often recall as symphony in brown. 

The last one although she's grown 

To woman's size, 

Has a child's innocence 

In her dark grey eyes. 

I have only loving memories 
Wherever I may go^ 
For the women who were members 
Of the club, that met to sew. 



TO WM. KENT, CONGRESSMAN 

Tlie old, old moon was looking down 

On a little old grey desert town. 

Ghosts were flitting here and there, 

Echoes were calling from everywhere. 

Shadows were lying deep and black 

Around the old station and railroad track. 

In the shadows dark and still 

A Ghost stands Icokinig" towards a hill 

Where wild things only have a home 

As freely over the rocks they roam. 

1 love that hill, says thei voice of the shade, 

The meimo-ry of it will never fade. 

I've visited it since '81, 

Many summers have gone and come 

With plenty of sunshine and little rain 

And somehow I've always come again. 

Do you love the desert? a low voice said — 

Or was it an echo from overhead? 

I lived here once and spent my youth 

Learning the awful bitter truth 

That hating the place both day and night. 

My life was seared with the desert's blight 

You won high honors while doing youir best. 

You only oome to the wilds to rest. 

But I kept staying on and on 

Until I knew by every token 

That the desert had conquered, 

My spirit was broken. 

Yon being a man heard the desert's call. 

I being a woman hated it all 

But the echos and shadows 

And friendly Ghosts too 

Were calling to-night for me and for you. 

Once being a man, jon can't understand 

How Ghost that I am, I hate the land. 

In a wierd whisper they said farewell 

Now where they went I cannot tell. 



10 



TO HAZEL 

A white, white rose in a, garden old 

Was nodding her pretty head, 
I knew that she was speaking 

And listened to what she said. 
I'd love to be worn by a lady fair 

And nestle cilose ini heir shiny hair, 
Or be tucked in the breast 

Of her gowni of lace, 
Or held in her fingers 

White as snow. 
I sho'idd be happy then I loiow. 

For such fate I constantly pray 
tSiirely she will come this way. 

Then gather me quickly, Lady mine 
And wear me when the stars shine. 

Keep me with yoii a long, long while 
Lady with the sweet, sweet sanile. 

Just such a Lady 

As the rose was praying for 
In, her home on the Desert 

Was standing at the door. 
Borne on the breeze came a siweet perfume 

Not from the Desert 
Where the roses seldom bloom, 

For the Lady longed in that twilight hour 
For a white, white rose. 

Just, such a flower 
As bloomed in the garden 

Breathing a prayer 
That some kind Zephyr 

Wafted on the air 
To the Lady, w;ho in the twalight hour 

Welcomed the messa,ge cif, the flower 
That came that night 

Tc my Lady's heart 
Bringing com,fort and delight. 



11 



aiFTS 

A Mother's undying devotion^ 

Sunshine and beautiful flowers, 

The love and trust of little children 

All tliese blessings ha,ve been oursi 

T']ie affection of true friends 

The bird's sweet song 

All tliese blessings, 

Yet — how the soul does long 

In a way that's unexplainable 

For the something, we know not what, 

That is unattainable. 



12 



THE HELLO GIRL 

We have a dear little Hello Girl 
Who is faithful both early and late 

She is not very tall, 

In fact she's quite small, 

Her name is Katherine or Kate. 

We are going to lose our Hello Girl, 
In love she has fallen of late, 

A boy tall and fine. 
Has taken a Shine 

To dear little Katherine or Kate. 



13 



TO A BABE ^ 

You may search fo^r wisdom 

L'ntil yoii are wise 

Yoii wall (find no knowledge so dear 

As that — that smiles in a Baby's eyes 

Fresh from so'me fleaveiily sphere. 

You may search for treasure 

Until you are old 

And worn and w^rinkled with cai'e. 

You wall find not a gem 

One half so fine 

As the gold in a Baby's hair. 



14 



A WISH 

I would love to live again 

In some existence 

"Where joy, not pain, 

Would rule the life of everyone — 

For who oould be happy all alone^ — 

Where ono could wander at his will 

Always findinig siomething still 

To marvel at; 

Where each one siees the best there is. 

Oh ! Then the cup of happiness 

Would be running over every day. 

For such a, heavenly existence 

Let us Pray. 



15 



BELLINGHAM BAY 

Was there ever such another 
Fasicinating and. entrancing spot? 
If you that answer, 
Answer truly. 

You will swear that there is not. 
Serenely shining in the moonlight, 
Gayly dimpling 'neath the sun, 
Somietimes in a mood for romance, 
Sometimes in a mood for fun. 
How many thousands does she bless, 
What can I think, or write or say 
That will do justice 
To Bellingham Bay I 



16 



A WINTRY SCENE 

In a field of snow, 

As pure and sweet as Charity 

There stands alone — A Tree, 

Darkly etched against a rosy sky 

Grey nioimtainis like dark sentinels 

Staiidinig grimly by — - 

Just a wintry scene, 

Perhaps there's thousands more 

Just as pretty — 

But this one is dear to me 

For I view it frcm my door. 



17 



A GOLDEN HEART 

Once again I've watched the sunset 

As I watched it long ago 

Every eve it showsi new beauties 

As the scene shifts to and fro^ — 

Dark clouds of velvet softness 

Seem tO' curtain all the west. 

Watching them to-night 

My spirit seemed oppressed; 

When softly and gently 

As with some ghostly hand 

The clouds were pushed apart 

And in the open space 

There shone a Golden Heart 

Emhlem of Love and Charity. 

Oh ! from our many f aultsi, dear heart, set us free. 



TO THE GOLDEN ROD 

I asked — 

Who is this? In a Golden Crown 

Blooming in lonely places 

Chuni.ming- with modest flowers 

With sweet tiny lavender faces. 

One Aster looked up with a friendly nod 

And whispered ' ' Our friend 

King Golden Eod. ' ' 



19 



GOLCONDA 

In the foregrouiiid lies a tiny 

"Desert Town," in the distance looms 

Great mountiains wrapped in a ghostly 

grey mist. Wide spreading- distances 

meet the eye in every direction, an 

awful silence broods over all. 

No soiuid of mirth, ot careless laughter 

or merry whistle breaks the sepidchral 

stillness. A vast suspicion of God and Man 

seems to steal into one's very soul. 



THE BRAND 

Wide stretches of sagebriisli 

As (tar as the eye can reach 

What lessciis. the desert is meant to- teach 

I cannot f athomi now. 

Our star of destiny, in years to come 

May lead us far away 

But the scorching rays of the desert sun 

Have burned a brand on 

Our very souls 

That ^dll always, always stay. 



21 



TO JESSIE WEBB 

She sat in a quaint high backed chair 
With a cushion with a scarlet flounce 
At her back, her abundant grey hair, 
Arranged in smooth waves, her typical 
American features, her slendemess, all 
Combined to make a portrait I should 
Call American Womanhood in September. 



22 



THE NEVADA MOUNTAINS 

Their fo^mi and their oolor 

Change millions of times, 

And oft I'm expecting 

To hear the sweet chimes 

Ring out from 

Cathedral, Steeple and Towers 

On the soft evening air 

Of the twilight hours. 

Or, is it a fancy 

That from castles grey 

Float musical voices 

Olt joyous and gay '? 

Oh! The wonderiful mountains 

So old, so old — 

Outlined against the sky 

Of purple and gold. 



TO THE WILD ASTER 

Dear little Aster, the world is your home, 

"We find you and love you 

"W her 'ere we roam 

In the cool, sweet woods 

Of the far-away North, 

On the plains, or the deserts, 

Or the sweet Sunny South. 

Dear little chum of the Golden Rod, 

Yiour tiny head will gently nod 

While the stars look down 

On you and your chum 

In his Golden Crowai. 

The Crown and the name of ''Golden Rod" 

Are both the gifts of tlie Flower's God. 



24 



TO CLARENCE 

I'm thinking some day I'll see you again 
I do not laiow where, I do not know when 
But wherever it is, or whenever it be 
You'll be the same dear boy to me. 



TO LOLA 

Do you remember in the winters long ago 
This lone tree, standing in the snow 
With the moimtains and the sunset. 
For its friends through all the year 
I think it must be happy 
Don't you? Lola dear. 



A NEVADA SNOW SCENE 

A field of snow, as purei and sweet as Charity 

And in it all alone a tree 

Darkly etched against a rosy sky, 

Grey mountains like true soldiers 

Keep watch close by. 

Just a wintry scene there are thousandsi more 

Just as lovely — just as fair, 

But we cannot see them fromj our door. 



25 



TO MRS. DELANO 

I've watched your busy hands; 

Dear Friend 

As some new beauty they create ; 

I have watched them woirldng early 

And have watched them working late, 

And while those supple fingers 

Are as busy as a bee 

Your thoiights are busy likewise 

I can very plainly see. 

And I know when those dear fingers 

Make your work a thing sO' fine 

That the thoughts to match the work 

Must be very near divine. 



:26 



A DIALOGUE 

A sweet rose said to a butterfly : 

Linger a,wliile, and tell me why 

It seems siO' very, very far 

To yonder beautiful shining' star. 

Now if I had fairy wings Uke you 

There would not be anything 

Old or new, 

I wouldn 't explore in the sky so blue. 

The butterfly took her at her word 

And on his gauzy wings sailed heavenward. 

Oh, dear me ! sighed the blushing rose, 

Now that he's gone, I just suppose 

I'll worry and fret, both day and night 

Until I shall look a perfect fright. 

When I mentioned the brilliant star 

I never thought he'd dare fly so far. 

I'd rather have him sO' bold and free 

Than somieone else I never did see. 

If he would come b'ack I would tell him so 

But if he shoadd not — ^he never will know. 



PLAYING THE GAME 

And ever the story's repeated 
Millions and millions of times 
Man goeiSi on purs-uing 
The dollars and even the dimes. 

What sort of a game are we playiilg'? 
Does anyone play the game right? 
Oat of life's dark meanings 
"Will we find onr way to the light? 



One incredi'ble thing about life is that the Young 
and obstinate are as young and obstinate as we once 
ivere. 



28 



THE PROSPECTOR AND HIS BURRO 

Come little Beastie 

Lets up and away 
The voice of the hills is calling to-day 

You carry your pack and I'll carry mine 
And you and I will make one bee line 

For the mountains. 

We've had a rest, and a real good play 
And now we must over the hills awa}^ 

To seek for buried treasure. 

Take one last look at the haunt of man 

Perhaps we shall not see it again 
P^or we are off for the mountains. 

You're just a donkey, I'm only a man. 
Each dcdng the little in life we can 

We may make a strike and come out rich 
Our b'caies may lie and bleach in the ditch. 

But we'll whistle a song and 
Trot gayly along, 

For we are off for the mountains 



29 



TO OLD ST. LOUTS 

I'm looking back to the long" ago 

To the City scenes I used toi know 

When all my daily griefs and joys 

Were just a part of the City's noise. 

We need not journey very far 

To find the quiet, restful green 

Of as pretty places as were ever seen. 

Oh! I love to wander in meimiory 

In the dear old parks 

I used to know 

With bygone friends 

Of the long ago. 

Other cities are fair — I can say with truth- 

But I love best the place 

Where I lived in youth. 



30 



TO A BOY I KNOW 

To Harry Petrie 

Some time in the misty future 

When we are oldeT grown, 

When the gay times and the sad times 

Into the past have flown 

We'll recall your (farewell party 

AVith a great deal of pleasure and joy — 

Most of us there were grown ups 

While you were just a boy. 

Your Dad with his boyish face 

The j oiliest one of all, 

Your Mother's sweet gracious ways 

I shall always love to recall. 

With such fine folks for examples 

Why shouldn't a boy aspire. 

Why shouldn't he have ambition, 

And his thcnghts soar higher and higher, 

Why shouldn't he make a noble man 

As only a really good Boy can? 



31 



DAY DREAMS 

]3reaniiiig — always dreaming 

But never strong enongli 

To make the dreams coane true. 

God tries to help us all he can, 

But He leaves a heap for us to do 

And if our strength is. not so much 

And our will is weak 

We shall be found always 

In the ranks, with the lowly and the meek, 

Always hoping and dreaming in vain 

' Til our very heart seems bursting with the pain. 




•DAY DREAMS' 



32 



JUST A THOUGHT 

A little thing will make us glad 

Ofttimes a smaller one will make us sad 

Thus the heart strings so sensitive 

Sometimes make it hard to live. 

When rude fingers jar 

And cause a discord 

Then we can only raise our eyes 

Toward the stars, and pray for 

Comfort from above 

And peace of mind — and love. 



33 



TO THE S. P. 

The trains that pass so swiftly 
"er the desert grey and ]jare 
Oft remind us when we 're lonely 
That they'll take ns anywhere. 

So we're reially not iforsaken 
While the sun shines on the land 
And the dear old S. P,. Railroad 
Extends to usi a helping hand. 



IN MEMORY OF BERT, MY BOY'S 
PLAYMATE 

Can it be true that Bert 

Who in our home with Our own boy 

"Wo'uld meet to pass the hours away 

In childish sport 

Can it be true that he tO' manhood grown 

Has been called by God 

To claim his owti fair heritage. 

It must be lair indeed 

To match his own pure life 

That now foTcver free'd from 

Care and strife 

Will shine trancendently in Paradise. 

Dear Bert, if we had perfect vision, 

Would we wish it otherwise. 

The joys that now are thine 

No mortal tongue can tell 

May this thought comfort those 

Who are bidding you farewell. 

You have gone bettore a little while, 

You'll be waiting now to greet them 

With your own dear simile. 



3p 



TO BELLA 

When the light is dim 

And I feel sonl weai'y 

And I 'm longing for siomieone true 

I hear a quick step — Then a gentle l^nock 

When I answer, My Dear, it is yon. 

We sit and talk as the moments fly 

And while I'm my cares confessing 

A CQimifort comes stealing intO' my heart, 

And into my soul a blessing 

In the future not far away. 

When we're sipiritsi both 

In another land, 

I know I shall love to recall the day 

When I met you first 

And clasped your hand. 

I can' recall you as a portrait 

Sitting on a, Da,venport, with a 

Cushion of golden sheen for a background 

In a quaint ruffled goiwn of delft blue 

The color of your eyes. 

In your arms a, big gold colored 

Persian cat was purring happily 

When I looked at your lovely hair 

Which the afternoon sun was touching 

I said toi myself — 

What a s}Tnphony in Blue and Gold, 

If I could paint the picture 

It never should be sold. 



36 



SYMPATHY 

Oh, the sighing and complaining 

And the mnrmnring of the trees, 

Voices of the past, wafted on the breeze 

Then the sudden fall of tears 

For 'tis raining. 

Then a smiling for the siun is shining 

For a time, brave souls, 

Cease your repining. 

Keep straight on. 

Your thoughts on Duty 

And seeking everywhere 

For beauty. 

Think only of the good. 

Forget the bad, 

The happy do not need you. 

But be patient with the sad. 

Remember always through 

The passing years 

The SAveetest flowers 

Are watered by their tears. 

And the grandest souls 

Are often in despair. 

Not receiving even justice, 

Never knowing love and care. 

On the road we all must travel 

Ever towards the Eternal City 

Liet us place signs that cheer the heart 

Faith — Hope — Love and Pity. 



37 



A QUESTION 

When our spirits have taken tflight 

IntO' the great unknown 

Shall we seek, and shall we find 

Tliose we've loved 

And those we've known? 

Shall we greet them as of old 

In our arms their forms enfold 

Hear their voices raised in song 

Will all be right, and nothing wrong 

In Eternity'^ 

What is the meaning of Life 

And this wonderful driving force 

That urges eaich living thing onward 

For better, or miaybe for worse ; 

Ever and ever onward 

Each century, year and hour. 

As ever we seek the answer 

And ever are mystified more? 

The horse — we caill our servant; 

The fowl — seemeth good for food ; 

The hills — we dig for treasure ; 

The forest — ^we cut for wdod ; 

We ourselves are servants 

Of, an invisible Grod 

And are cut down at his bidding, 

And hidden under the sod. 



3:8: 



IN MEMORY'S HALL 

Come Dear Friend, and stroll with me 
Down the silent halls of Memory 
While the mystic spell of the daysi gone by 
Breathes in the air, as the moments fly. 
While the silent flow 
Of our sacred thoughts 
Keeps time to the music of long ago. 
Dear friend, perhaps you too recall 
Yon picture hanging on the wall, 
A group — some friends — ^both wo^men and men- 
Shall we meet them once more ? 
And where and when? 
Some time in the land where souls dwell 
Where all is lovely, where all is well 
Led to them by our guiding star 
There will not be anything to mar 
The renewal of friendships 
That once were ours. 
The living over of golden hours 
There) are many pictures upon this wall 
Of faces, and scenes we love to recall 
Dear Fi-iends, we loved in the long ago. 
We shall meet you again 
For we miss you so. 



39 



TO HAZEL 

When life seems brig-htest 

And your simile 

j\Iakes everything seem well worth while. 

When life is saddest, and a tear 

Would start unbidden, Hazel dear, 

1 find a sort of quiet peace 

The pain within my heart will cease 

A benediction on me fall. 

As in my sorrow I recall 

Your smile — Your lovely smile. 

When e're I think of 

You, My Dear, 

I wish you near — I Mdsli j^ou near. 



40 



THE CLOSE OF THE FAIR AT 
SAN FRANCISCO 

I hear the winds a sig'hing 
In a sottt and mournful way, 
And I see the clouds a weeping 
Bitter tear drops in the bay. 

And the trees, and flowers 
Are looldng everywhere 
F'or their late admirers. 
The People at the Fair. 

It's hard to realize 

The Fair is O'er, 

'Twas a magic city 

It has vanished from the shore. 



41 



LAVENDER PLACE 

To the foot of the hill 

Where sweet Lavender grows 

In a row 

And a path leads up 

To a cottage white 

And the fir trees bend and, bow 

'Wandering around 

With loving thoughts 

In the dear familiar places, 

I misis the forms of my old-time friends 

And their bright and pleasant faces. 

They will wander back 

To this lovely ho^me 

Some day, I surely know 

For the house, the treesi 

And the Lavender isiweet 

All seem to miss them so. 




LAVENDER PLACE' 



42 



THEIR LAST FIGHT 

On the Desert bleak 

The pale, cold moon 

Is shedding its weird light 

And the mountains bold 

Keep guard, at night 

O'er the gTaveis of those 

Who have fought their last long fight. 

In the shadows dark 

They sleep long, and well 

Life's story for them is told 

A ruda wood post is left to mark 

The graves of the warriors bold^ 

The one time glories at the west 

As well as the vanishing wrongs 

Will live in the tales we tell our youth 

And be treasured as well in song. 

Farewell, Barbarians of the plains 

You answered the call of the blood 

We avenged the death of Our Brother 

And to us the deed seeimethl good 

Eternity alone will tell what things, were evil 

What things were well. 

Farewell, vanquished foe, Farewell. 



43 



TO THE ARCH FIEND KAISER BILL 

Al(l night long, a mighty throng 

Of mutilated G-hosts, 

With awful cries 

Before his eyes 

March the murdiered Army Hosts. 

Suddenlj^ he tremibles 

And awakens with a start. 

Millions of icy fingers 

Are clutching at his heart. 

His vile ears[ are bursting 

With awful pain 

Caused by the dying shrieks 

Of the thousands he has slain. 

The silent sobs cif, orphans — - 

The Widows' lonely moan — 

The despairing cry of one 

Who has lost her only son — 

All this must come to him 

On every wave of sound. 

How can we wait, old tyrant, 

Until you are safe beneath the ground. 

Then I think the very Angels 

Will be glad your soul 's in hell. 

And the voices of the universe 

Will shout that all is well. 

You must have escaped 

From the laboratory of the Devil 

For you have proved yourself 

The boiled down, essence 

Of the very worst of evil. 



44 



TO ISABEL 

We may not know and oannot tell 

When, next we meet. Dear Isabel 

But we will remember in life's: busy whirl 

That you were a kind and good little girl. 

Though distance our paths may always sever 

We will be wishing you well forever and ever. 

Roses and Lillies, LiUies and Roses 

And Violets sometimes, 

Boolis and Music, Music and Books 

Some of them filled with rhymes. 

Gold and Silver, Silver and Gold, 

Friends that are new and Friendsi that are old, 

Clear sparkling water and bright sunshine, 

All of these blessings I want for mine. 



45 



TO HAZEL 

Shine on bright star of destiny 

And guard my lady fair. 

Blow sictftly gentle winds 

On her dear face anid shining hair. 

Sweet flowers bloom 

And give of your perfimie 

For her delight 

On this My Lady's birthnight. 

Of years she's been on earth 

Just; twenty eight. 

Shine on bright star 

Be kind, Oh fate; 

And when 'tis late 

And shadows fall 

A little on her way 

May she look upward 

And see her star 

Shining from; afar. 

Forever it will lead her on — 

It shines for her alone. 



46 



LET'S BE HAPPY 

Of all the things we should be sure of 

Forever and a day 

That we have a right to happiness 

Whatever men may say. 

The clouds may sometimes darken, 

The sun won't always shine, 

But dark, or light 

It is our right 

And it iSi a, right divine 

To be lo'Ving", to be happy 

And sometimes to be gay. 

For within us lies the power 

No matter what men say. 

In as much as we forget ourselves 

And humbly serve 

Shall we receive rich gifts 

Aye — more than we deserve. 



47 



IF 

If I could weep sometimes 

And ease my aching heart, 

If I could leave this life 

And stand awhile apart 

And see the miracle 

As a vast moving show, 

The questions I am asking 

Would be answered then I know. 

But — to be ready always to do my part 

And to be always chiding 

My weary aching heart 

Seems to have dulled the senses ; 

I cannot see, I cannot hear 

I only know I greatly ifear. 



48 



TO ELIZABETH M. 

A wee little miss with a dainty smile 

Disclosing' twO' teeth of pearl, 

Two lovely brown eyes 

A musical voice, come guess ; 

Who is this dear little girl? 

So dainty is she, it seems, but a breath 

JMight wait thisi dear fairy away. 

When I tell you her name is Elizabeth, 

Why surely — I hear you all say. 



49 



TO ELIZABETH AND DOROTHY 

You may search for wisdo'm 

Until you are wise ; 

But the wisdcm of worlds unseen by you 

Shines in Elizabeth's eyes. 

You may search for gold 

Until you are old 

And weary and bent with care ; 

But the gold that was lost 

From the Angels' crowns 

Is shining in Dorothj^ 's hair. 

Dear little sisters of tender years, 

Unharmed by the world 

With its hopes and fears. 



50 



TRY AGAIN— TO ANNE 

Didn't Sionieone, sonietime, sioraewhere 
Make g-ocd use of this refrain 1 
Yoii should never be discouraiged 
But should always try a.g'ain. 
Did the writer sense, I wonder 
As the stirring words he wrote 
That they would apply to women 
When they asked the power to vote? 
I thinlv the words were meant for us 
As well as men. 

We are working for a, noble cause 
And we will try and try again. 
And it shall be: with all g'ood women, 
As it is with all g'ood men. 
When she really goes tO' vote 
S'he will do the best she can. 



51 




52 



FAREWELL TO THE OLD HOME 

Oh ! let me walk around the old rooms 

Just, this once more. 

Let me walk in and out 

Through each familiar door. 

Let me feel the rugs I've so admired 

Beneath my feet as I walk about the floor 

For I feel that I shall never 

Do so any more. 

Let mei look once more at each picture 

That I placed with pride upon the wall, 

Let me kneel before the fireplace 

And once more recall 

The dear loved forms and faces 

And smile of those that 

Once were here, but now are gone. 

Oh ! that I could recall them 

As I kneel here all alone. 

Dear Home^ — I planned to spend 

My last days here when I 'd be growing old ; 

But I 'm bidding you farewell— 

To a stranger you are sold. 



53 



A CONVERSATION 

An Imp and an Angel met one day. 

They talked of the earth and her curious way 

Said the Ipnp to the Angel 

Earth's creatures can't fly 

No nwre than I. 

So I really believe, he said with a grin, 

They are Imps 

For they seem tO' love sin. 

Oh! sighed the Angel, 

As if in pain, 

Please — do' not say that again 

Their souls are as deep as a deep, deep well 

All the things I see I cannot tell. 

I see Faith, Ilope and Charity, 

And the wish to be all together (free. 

If ImpsI like you would not tease thtem so, 

Their wings might soon begin to grow. 



54 



TO MAY PETRIE 

We will rememiber in the future 

When the years have gently flo\^^l 

The honrs we spent together 

And the pleaisures we have known,. 

AVe met ofttimes to while the hoiirs away 

At other times to celehrate 

Sonne (friend's birthday. 

We would always seem to feel 

A little extra glee 

When wo were celebrating 

An Anniversiary. 

And on the date your birthday 

Chanced tio fall 

We welcomed the occasion — 

For we loved you best of all. 



55 



BY THE FIRESIDE AT THE TWIN FIRS 

The last fire of the old year 
Sheds itSi glow of good cheer 
As our thoughts wander forth 
To our ifjiends far and near, 
Loving them ever 
Doubting them never. 
Through years that have gone 
And years that may oome 
When far from our side 
When with us at home. 
Some of you are spirits 
That come to us at wil] 
Out of the mj'stic long- ago 
But we love you still. 
Old friends and new ones. 
Good friends and bad. 
The fire of, the New Year 
Brings dreams glad and sad. 



56 



IN THE WOODS NEAR BELLINGHAM 

I know a place, where the fairy grace 

Of a tender little vine 

On a pillow green, almost unseen 

By a careless passerby. 

Where one can trace 

In letters like lace 

The names of Angels fair. 

Bowing my head I clearly read 

The name of my mother there. 



KATE'S LIVING ROOM 

Do rooms ha,ve souls? I think they do. 

Some dark and sombre, 

Some bright and true. 

Often and often when I 'm alone 

On wdngs of meimory my thoughts have flown 

To a rooan all dressed in green and white, 

With great big windows admitting the light 

And the golden sunshine that glorifies all — 

Each statue, each picture that hangs on the wall- 

The piano, the books, the lace curtained door — 

Even the rugs — on the bright polished floor. 

A perfume steals, like a blessing unseen. 

From the soul of the room 

In pure white and green. 



58 



TO HAMPTON 

I know a little boy mth two big blue eyes. 

I wonider wliat he's thinking 

When he looks so wise. 

I know his thonghts are funny. 

He's full of native wit. 

For of Irish he has in him 

Quite a little bit. 

Some day in the future 

This boy will shine 

For liis mother is a wonder 

And liis Father's very fine. 

If ttate has denied them perfect joy 

It will come to them, with interest 

In the blue eyed boy. 



59 



FATE 

So much fuss and plaiuiing 
All for naughit, it seems to me 
Fo'r no matter what we do, 
What is to be, will be. 



DON'T WAIT 

D'on't wait to think the kindly thought 

Or smile the cheerful smile, 

Don't wait to give the little gift. 

Don't wait till after while. 

Don't wait to write that letter 

Until some other day; 

But — do the things you ought to do. 

And do them right away. 



60 



TO GEORGE 

You may live your life 

In a city fine 

Or be lost in a wilderness, 

My thoughts will always bring to you 

A share of happiness. 

For when the hoursi we are living now 

Are lost and forever gone, 

The loving thoughts I have for you 

Will keep living* on and on. 



61 



THE DIPLOMAT— TO LELAND MULLER 

This is Maggie the cat 
That lives in our house, 
Who has never as yet 
Caught a single miouse. 
As she always lives well 
And is sleek and fat 
We've concluded to call her 
The Diplomati. 




'THE DIPLOMAT' 



62 



TO MR. CADE 

A man long used to the breezy west 

Wiitli its big and wlioleso'ine ways 

In little eld New York right now 

Is spending his nights and days; 

And thongh the niian is well and strong 

To him the hours seem very long. 

For he icnows — to truly do his best — 

He must be a part of the ''Great cut West. 



63 



TO MAGGIE 

Long years have passed 

Since first I heard your voice in song. 

Long years, and yet they dcn,'t seem very long. 

Per listening I hear the echo 

Of that sweet song of long a.gO' 

And lovingly recall the scene 

When yon a girl were singing Madaline. 

I would recall the night and hear 

That voice divine. 

No voice so sweet had I e'er heard before 

Nor since, dear friend of mine. 



64 



TO HARRY 

When the shadows are falling" 

And dream voices calling 

Out of the long ago 

I listen to hear a voice that was dear 

Of a boy I uised to know. 

T'was a voice full of cheer 

And things funny and queer 

"Would start the boy laugliing sitraight way^ 

As I sit here alone 

I 'm so sorry he 's gone 

But, I'm going to see him some day. 

And 111 try to tell him each funny event 

That's occured in this place 

Since the day that he went. 

For the things that may not seem funny to >'0u 

Amuses tba boy and me, through and through. 



65 



THE SOLDIER 

With brave eyes ever looking forward 

Into the great unknown future, 

Willing to chance ail 

And change his very nature, 

The one time carefree thoughtless youth 

Is now another' creature. 

The warm hand clasp of friendsi — 

Perchancie of sister, or otf, brother — ■ 

The fond embrace, or farewell kiss' 

Of liisi sweetheart and his mother. 

As he fares forth to meet 

Only God knows what — 

And still he falters not. 

Brave Knight of our to-day. 

What can we ever write or say. 

At this OT' any future time, 

That will do justice 

To' your courage 

And your faith sublime? 

We know not what may be before you 

But we do know that we adore you. 



66 



THE GHOSTS OF THE COWBOYS 

From a mist that came in the early dawn 

Of a frosty autumn day, 

Men on horses came riding forth 

And otf,f to the hills away. 

They were the men who long ago 

Came to the desert to stay — 

To be free from rules that man had made 

To be from cities away. 

They lived a primeval 

And wild rough life, 

Not caring for children or even a wife. 

They once were: real but now they are not, 

But they love to hover around this spot. 

I see them plainly, I hear them call 

But then I know that after all 

I see only the Ghosts of the Cowboys — 

J\Iost people see no cowboys here 

And what's more they have not 

For many a year, 

But we old timers know perfectly well 

Their ghosts come back and often raise hell. 



67 



TO MY SON 

To my Son, to the Boy that I adore 

Each day and each hoiir, Lad 

I love you more and more. 

In the past I sometimes thought 

We did not understand each other 

And I regretted that you had 

No sister, or no brothe-r. 

If I have failed you, 

Son, in any way 

Now is the time 

I humbly wish to say 

That love for you 

Prompted every deed. 

To so live 

That you migiit be proud of me 

Has been my only creed — my only creed. 



68 



BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL 
BELLIGHAM BAY 

On thy shores let me live 
And at last, pass away 
Thou, dearest of waters 
Bellingham Bay. 
The peace of the past 
Seems to dwell on thy shores, 
Seems to lull and caress 
To welcome, and bless 
And say to each heart 
"Bliss" be yours. 
How blesti are the children 
Thy sons and thy da.ug'hters 
Dear Belling-ham Bay, 
Thou siren of waters. 
A promise I make 
A tryst I will keep 
On thy beautiiful shores 
I will sleep my last sleep. 



69 



TO A FRIEND 

I wonder which of the beautiful stars 

That glows in the evening sky 

Is leading you, dear lady, 

As the moments swiftly fly. 

'Twould seem it were a lucky star 

For flowery paths you have trod thus far; 

Of fond parentSi their greatest pride 

Until a. glorious maiden grown 

You were claimed as a bride 

By one both true and good. 

A few short years 

And you were crowned 

By glorious miotherhood. 

Two lovely daughters 

Falling to your share 

One dark, one fair. 

Life for you is like rich wine 

May your lucky star forever shine! 



70 



AT THE SACRED SUNSET HOUR 

Old mountains of the west, 
•At Sainsets hour 
From some great vase 
There seems to poiir 
Colors so beautiful 
0(f| every hue; 
Flowers, crusihed to powder 
Violet, blue, rose and amethyst 
Shot through with gold; 
But soimetimjes you look 
Just grey and old 
Like grim sentinels 
Standing guard — ^o'er what? 
I often wondered 
But I never, never knew 
And never shall know. 
They keep their secrets well 
As the seasons comie and go 
Under their seeming coldness 
And their pride. 

Grod knows what wealth they hold 
Within their hearts 
What mysteries they hide. 



71 



IDEALS 

Long' years has it stirred 

In the woman's heart 

This thing, that the world 

Has Galled unrest 

And ever it cries 

As a soul in need 

To the fetters that bind it 

To be once at rest 

And, forever freed. 

Oh! this beautiful thing 

Has struggled so 

It isi living on faith. 

As the days oom,e and go 

Some time it will bloom 

As a fragrant flower. 

And it will be 

In that sacred hour 

When woman shall stand 

With loyal heart 

Beside the man 

To do her part 

Each vowing 

That, in the days to come, 

They will work for the nation 

And the home 

Seeking always to find the best. 

When the time shall come 

For their last long rest 

May they leave their ideals 

Safe in the hands 

Of the coming youth 

With the knowledge 

That they have done their best^ 

To teach them 

The higher truth; 

And nothing but the best 

The high and pure ideals 

That dwell in the woman's heart 

W^ill bloom in perfection only, 

When ai woman is free 

To do her part. 



72 



MY MOTHER 

'Tis years since she hasi been at rest 

And yet, when she was 

Oif. earth's very best 

Can I forget? 

Ah no! Each day something 

Perhaps her writing, 

Or somiei song she iised to sing, 

Her picture, 

Or some book that she had read, 

Or memory recalling 

Some gracious thing that she had said. 

Or her advice. 

When we had spoken heart to heart 

AMiat ere I am I owe to her 

All of the better parti. 

Ill careless moments 

I might forget another 

But never for one moment 

Could I forget my sainted mother. 

The stitches she had taken. 

Like herself so dainty and so small, 

As I lay the work away 

How the bitter tear drops fall. 

Oh ! gentle mother hover near. 

Since you are gone an awful fear 

Co'mes o'er me when I am alone, 

I can not yet, believe my dear, 

That you are gone, forever gone; 

But in every strain of music 

And the fragrance of each flower 

I feel your spirit presence, 

Every day, and every hour. 



73 



TO MAGGIE 

If our souls do traasomigrate, 

As we are sometimes told, 

I think it will be your happy ttate 

To be cast in the delicate mold 

Of a tiny bird, 

And notes of liquid song' will flow 

Wher'ere you are the whole day through. 

Wher'ere I ami I want to be near. 

In fair or stormy weather, 

So, when myraids. of birds 

Are blending their voices all toig^ether, 

I shall hear yours first always and last 

Just as I have always in the happy past. 



74 



THE EAGLE 

The Eagle is speaking — 

What Eagle you say? 

Our Eagle of course 

Of the U. S. A. 

He's rejoicing on Christmas day — 

We hear him although he is far away, 

Oh! he's saying he's glad — 

We know by his scream, he'si also sad — 

For though the war is over and done, 

Amierioa weeps for many a, son. 

He tried to warn usi, He's saying now. 

And many a time ifjew quite low 

And screamed in his very loudest voice 

To get ready to train Our Boys; 

But he says we were dancing 

Both day and nighit 

And had no mind to thing of a. fight. 

In the future list^ — when the eagle screams 

Both day and night — He's on gaiard it seems. 



75 



THE AMERICAN EAGLE 

I hear the Eiagle of the Dear Old U. S. A. 

Talking' — Listen you can hear 

Although he's far away. 

He's saying — I could s:creain with joy 

Because the war is over. 

If I can help the People 

There won't be any more. 

Iif, they will only listen 

I shall tell them every time 

"When there 's any kind of danger 

Threatens them from any Olime, 

For I dearly love the Country 

And I love its People too 

I always scream in warning 

For that 's the best that I can do. 

I am the People's Guardian 

But I live up near the sky 

So to keep in touch with me 

Their Ideals must be high. 



76 



THE ROSES 

They are dead — - 

Their glory faded in one sihort day 

Dear f loses — how can I throw you away? 

No city dweller can ever know 

Or those that live where the flowers grow 

Wliat beauty they bringi us, 

And of what marvels they speak 

To those who live on the desert bleak. 

Oh ! how we enjoy them — and dread the day 

When we knoAV at last 

We will throw them away. 

Oh! beautiful roses, you've lived and died 

We would never had known 

Had we not been denied 

How great is your mieaning. 

How much you may tell 

Beautiful roses, Farewell ! Farewell ! 



77 



THE SLEEPING LADY 

In silence she lies 

In her shiroud of grey, 

She's the sleeping Lady 

The "Old Timers" say. 

She has chosen a. place 

F'or her last long rest 

Where the sun lingers longest 

As it sinks in the west — 

Like her I would rest when I die, 

Where the banners of sunset 

Hang in the sky, 

Like penants of glory 

Of Gold, Purple, and Rose, 

A glorious promise 

At the mystic day's close 



L. G. 



The formation and outlines of some mountains near 
Golconda, Nevada suggest the form of a Sleeping Lady. 



78 



INDEX 



Pa^e 

To My Boy , 5 

The Northwest 6 

The Visit of th© Ghiosts 7 

To Some Men I Know.— 8 

An Old Fashioned Album 9 

To Wm. Kent, Congressman 10 

To Hazel 11 

Gifts -. , 12 

The Hello Girl 13 

To a Babe.... 14 

A Wish 15 

Bellingham Bay , 16 

A Wintry Scene 1 7 

A Golden Heart 18 

To the Golden Eod 19 

Golconda .., 20 

The Brand , 21 

To Jessie Webb 22 

The Nevada Mountains 23 

To the Wild Aster 24 

To Clarence — To Lola — ^A Nevada Snow Scene 25 

To Mrs. Delano , 26 

A Dialogue ...., , 27 

Playing the Game 28 

The Prospector and His Buito 29 

To Old St. Louis , 30 

To a Boy I Know.... -.. 31 

Day Dreams — 32 

Just a Thought.... .., , 33 

To- the S. P 34 

In Memory of Bert, my Boy's Playmate 35 

To Delia 36 

Sympathy 37 

A Question 38 

In Memory 's Hall i , 39 

To Hazel - 40 

The Close of the Fair at San Francisco................... 41 

Lavender Place 42 

Their Last Fight 43 

79 



To the Archi Fiend, Kaiser Bill 44 

To Isabel , 45 

To Hazel 46 

Let 's be Happy. -..- 47 

If 48 

To Elizabeth M 49; 

To Elizabeth and Dorothy 50 

Try Again — To Anne... - 51 

Farewell to- the "Old Home" ,. 52-53 

A Oonversation , 54 

To May Petrie j ....- 55 

By the Fireside at the "Twin Firs'' 56 

In the Woods Near Bellingham: 57 

Kate 's Living Koom >. 58 

To Hampton , 59 

Fate— Don't Wait .- 60 

To George -. 61 

The Diplomat — To Leland Mujler 62 

To Mr. Cade 63 

To Maggie , .- 64 

To Harry 65 

The Soldier , 66 

The Ghosts of the Cowboys 67 

To my Son , 68 

Beautiful, Beautiful Bellingham Bay , 69 

To a Friend ■ :-. 70 

At the Sacred Sunset Hc<ur 71 

Ideals , 72 

My Mother -- 73 

To Maggie , 74 

The Eagle -. 75 

The American Eagle 76 

The Roses 77 

The Sleeping Lady 78 




80 



